So, I tried some organic brands because I was trying to do everything for "hEaLtH" and health gurus said there are toxic chemicals in everything (Labmuffin says the levels are orders of magnitude safer than the tested dangerous levels, but also I don't care any more). They were chalky and awful. I also tried OGx which was more popular. It was okay but I noticed a a lot of hair falling out. I then spent a while using more expensive brands like redken and matrix. They were fine, just nothing special. I think with the silicone free conditioners my hair just wasn't as shiny and smooth. Sometimes i didn't love the smell. Recently after feeling $broke and reading labmuffin's book I decided I cannot afford to buy expensive products when I go through them so fast, and bought some 2-3 dollar loreal elvital shampoos. They work just as well as the redken and matrix. They work as well as anything I've ever tried, and I think there's just a ceiling on quality, and the rest is about finding a formula that suits you.

Oh didn't realize it was region specific, that's helpful. Where do you buy stuff from in Germany? It's close enough.   Totally. And you know what you like and what you want.

That is confusing. Usually I just google "knit pro symfonie stricknadeln kaufen" and google suggests something for me. Probably amazon. For buying yarn. Each pattern will have a tab with "yarn ideas." For example. Say I want to knit this Antler Toque . It already has "suggested yarn" on the details card. But I want to see what other people used so I go up and click the yarn ideas tab. Wow, malabrigo rios was used over 700 times. I click on the yarn picture to go to the yarn's own page or I click "used 700 times" to see this specific hat with that specific yarn! Wheee! Having gone to the yarn page I can see its details. It is worsted weight and plied. Yay! I can look at what colours the yarn comes in "colorways", or see it knitted up in other people's "projects". If I'm on the fence about a specific colour I can even see how it knitted up, or see different people's pictures of their balls. Or skeins. If I want to see if it's available in my region I go to "see all buying options" which is not at the top but on the right hand side. My region is set to Germany, so it give me German options first, then other European options. Hopefully the yarn shops are well designed, but who can say.   When you aren't experienced, planning a project can take time. When you're experienced it's faster because you already know shit; like that Malabrigo is a higher end yarn (but not as expensive as, say, Madeline Tosh) with solid, semi solid and variegated options. You know a few other yarn brands you like in your price range. You know whether you want single ply or multi plied. And You already know a few online shops in your country. Etc.

I didn't notice. Oops.   But I will regret it, in sinus issues and nosebleeds. (Of course, I'm also going to regret rushing all my hydration right before bed.)     Ugh, but I have to go to bed...   I could really use a scary housekeeper to terrify me out of bed and throw a pot of tea in front of me in the morning. I blame the patriarchy.

Hm. You're the second person that's recommended Hill House for a non-horror person. Maybe I should give it a try. I've been enjoying horror elements in games lately, maybe my sensibilities are changing anyway...

Cool! That's so interesting. Really makes you wonder about what the ideal weekly/daily volume is.

I hate when this happens.   Oof, you must feel awful. Chores can wait, hydration cannot. Even the walk can wait.

It's been so long, but the last shampoo I remember trying was too... thin? I don't know how to describe it. Sometimes shampoos feel like there's not enough lubricant, making the hair tangle while washing, forcing me to use more conditioner. And it feels horrible. But it's not related to whether it has sulfates or not.   The only curly product that I've had a positive result with is a cheap very light curl cream from the local drugstore. My hair doesn't take well to all the CG products like gels and oils. And it needs more frequent washing otherwise it tangles like a mofo. I tried the no wash/low wash methods twice and it was bad...

(He's not wrong, but this is really going to get in the way of my daily hydration, which I'm also starting at 11pm, and my chores, and... dammit, he's giving me the "this is why it's a problem" look.)

Scientia potestas est Society of the Wise • Est. 1775   The Folly Russell Square London, WC1B 7ZF     8th October, 2024   Dear Sara,   The problem requiring solution is in fact yours, rather than mine.   And I believe you will find that Toby and I have been for a walk twice today; you have not.     Yours,   Thomas Nightingale   Detective Chief Inspector, Metropolitan Police Acting President, Society of the Wise